Randy Smith: Umps Should Lighten Up

I saw a story this morning about a Little League player who was recently ejected from a game for a 'bat flip" following a home run in the state championship game. He was also suspended from his team's next game but a judge ruled in his favor when his parents sought to reverse the decision. I watched video of the "bat flip" and it was nothing more than a youngster getting excited about a clutch home run in a big game. I'm not faulting the umps but they should have been a little more understanding.

In the big leagues, when a player flips a bat they will likely get plunked in their next plate appearance. It's called "showing up" the pitcher. In the case of the Little Leaguer, it was more of a celebration and he wasn't trying to show anybody up. It was a twelve year old kid who was super-excited. There is a rule in Little League Baseball calling for no "Horse Play." That's what the men in blue used to eject the kid for flipping his bat. They really need to lighten up and let kids show some excitement in a big moment.

I watch a lot of youth baseball each year and I've seen some really good umpires and some really bad ones. In a recent travel ball tournament in Dalton, GA, the plate umpire had the most inconsistent strike zone I've ever seen. He missed high, he missed low and he missed outside. He even ejected a coach for questioning one of his calls, though the coach didn't say anything that should have led to an ejection. 

After the game, some of the players stated the umpire reeked of marijuana. The guy was high when he put on his gear and got behind the plate, so it was no wonder he missed so many balls and strikes. My take on this is....there may be a time and place for "mellowing out" but the baseball field is certainly not that place. You should have more pride in your work than to show up for the game higher than giraffe ears.

I support most game officials in every sport but I think the key is to not take yourself too seriously. Major League umpires take a lot of abuse from players and managers until they say the "magic word" then they get tossed. I believe some of the umpires on the local level believe they should emulate the big-league umps but they often take a lot less from coaches before they pull the trigger and send them to the parking lot. Back off a bit, relax and allow kids to be kids.